LS2 Challenger FF327 motorcycle helmet.

It comes with a choice of either a full carbon fibre or fibreglass shell (or HPCF as LS2 like to call it) and offers some useful features like an integral sun visor and Pinlock ready main visor, all for a relatively low price.

And because it’s a sportsbike helmet, that means it should offer great aero stability as well as a nice deep visor to give you unimpeded forward vision in a tuck position.

So if that’s the sort of helmet you’re after, read on to find out pretty well everything there is to know about the LS2 Challenger.

Looking to buy this LS2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the LS2 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site).

Either way, they both come in three shell sizes which means the shell should be just about spot on for the size of your head/body and will have a more optimised amount of shock absorbing multidensity EPS liner inside to improve impact protection.

It’ll also mean it looks better when you’re wearing it as it won’t be over- or under-sized.

Whatever Challenger shell you opt for, it’ll have passed the same ECE 22.05 test (Europe) which means it’ll be pretty durable and give at least a good minimum level of protection.

And there’s a few other safety features in there that are worth having in the Challenger, such as the drop down sun visor. Not only will it make riding in the sun more comfortable, but they’re important for safety too, stopping you getting caught out when the sun’s low and shining directly in your eyes.

Fluo orange Challenger squadron

That main clear visor is Pinlock ready and if you fit a Pinlock Max Vision antifog insert, it’ll keep your vision clear under 99% of everyday conditions.

The Challenger uses a micrometric fastener which are easy to use and safe as houses – plus LS2 has added reinforcement to the strap and anchors the strap onto the helmet using a metal plate.

It’s difficult to say how well the LS2 Challenger will perform in comparison to other helmets because it hasn’t been independently safety tested by SHARP yet.

To date there have been around a dozen LS2s tested by SHARP and none has scored a maximum score and their average rating is 3.2/5. Their composite fibre or fibreglass helmets usually score around four stars though – which is very good – though there hasn’t been a full carbon fibre helmet tested to date.

This one’s the Challenger Fusion

Overall, we’d expect the Challenger to get around the 4/5 mark, though of course that’s a guesstimate until SHARP gets their hands on the Challenger.

Ventilation

There are two independently operated crown vents plus a brow vent just above the visor – all directing air through the helmet shell and into channels in the internal shock absorbing liner to circulate it around the head.

They can all be closed off if required and are mated with a pair of variable exhaust vents to the rear to help create a stream of air through the helmet.

There’s also a single central chin vent which directs air up onto the back of the visor to help with demisting.

Visor

The main visor port is both wide and tall so it’ll give great all round visibility which is good for safety, as well as working well if you ride a sports bike where you’ll need that tall visor to get a good uninterrupted forward view without the top of the eye port getting in the way.

Full carbon Challenger with main visor fully up and sun visor fully lowered

It’s a quick change visor too which is well handy for quickly taking your visor off to clean or when swapping out for a tinted visor.

And it has a central visor lock – close the visor and it’ll click locked, push up on the lock and it’ll unlock it and open the visor. Nice and simple to use.

There’s also a quality anti fog solution available on the Challenger. The main visor is ready to accept a Pinlock Max Vision antifog insert – and from some retailers (but not all), it’ll come with an insert in the box which.

At the time of writing, our recommended retailers (see links below) all sell the Challenger with Pinlock included.

Sun Visor

The sun visor on the Challenger is operated from the left hand bottom rim which is just about the ideal position.

Side view of the gloss black Challenger showing sun visor slider on the bottom edge and sun visor fully down

Sun visors can’t, by law, be too highly tinted so don’t expect it to be as dark as your favourite pair of Ray Bans. However, early impressions are that the sun visor on the LS2 Challenger is slightly darker than most plus it drops down nice and low to cover most of your vision.

If you’ve never had a helmet with a drop down sun visor before, they’re highly recommended. They save you having to carry a pair of shades or replacement visor with you and they do stop you getting caught out by a strong, low sun which can be dangerous.

Plus, because they’re made of polycarbonate, they add an extra layer of 95%+ UV protection.

Comfort and Sizing

It’s also made from a breathable and hypoallergenic materials and comes with a chin curtain to reduce draft and noise into the helmet as well as a padded chin strap to reduce chafing.

Unusually, it’s been created as a longer oval fitment which will be music to the ears of riders with narrower and longer heads, though if you’ve a more common medium oval headshape and really want a Challenger, it’s worth trying before buying.

Side view of the carbon fibre LS2 Challenger

Having said that, our recommended stores will accept no-quibble returns and will give a full refund as long as you keep all the tags intact and don’t go riding in it – so you can try it and send it back if it doesn’t fit.

Looks & Graphics

There’s no doubt that the LS2 Challenger is a modern looking helmet, with its complex shell casting and multitude of vent covers. The full carbon fibre Challenger is only available in a plain matt lacquer at the time of writing – though do click through to our recommended retailers using the links below to see if there have been new versions launched since (the links will take you through to their LS2 pages).

Other than the carbon, the fibreglass versions are available in a few different designs with a ton of different colour options in most. For a high viz you might want to check out the Squadron graphics, but there’s also the Magic, GP, Fusion, Randy, Jeans and Flex designs – as well as a couple of Foggy replicas in the UK.

For a plain version, there’s a titanium as well as black and white versions.

Best places to buy this LS2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the LS2 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site).

LS2 Challenger Video

Here’s a 9m look around the LS2 Challenger (called Challenger GT in the US. Note: in the US the carbon fibre Challenger comes with a double-d ring fastener).

Other stuff – warranty

The LS2 challenger comes with 2 year warranty.

Overall/Summary

While the LS2 Challenger is designed as a sportsbike helmet that’ll work on the track too, it comes with some great features that also mean it should perform on the roads too.

Challenger in solid gloss white

That quick release visor system is wide and tall, giving excellent all-round vision, and it comes with a Pinlock Max Vision antifog included in the box. That’s backed up with drop down sun visor which is always great to see and is unusual in a more track focused lid.

And while it hasn’t yet been independently safety tested so we don’t know quite how much protection it’ll offer, the LS2 Challenger is a highly tempting package that offers a massive amount of features for not much money.

Good Alternatives to the LS2 Challenger?

If you’re after a sportsbike helmet like the LS2 Challenger, here’s a few we suggest you check out.

AGV’s GT Veloce S is a SHARP 5 star safety rated (maximum) sportsbike helmet that comes with a Pinlock, optically correct visor and is nice and light at around 1.4Kg. It costs a smidge more than the LS2 but it’s a really high performing helmet.

HJCs FG17 on the other hand is a bit cheaper but you’re still getting a SHARP 4 star rated helmet that’s great for the track or road and offers great all-round performance.

Fluo yellow version of the Challenger

Or how about this for something a bit more unusual? The AGV SportModular is a modular helmet designed for sportsbikes. It’s not cheap but it’s SHARP 4 star safety rated, very light (for a modular) and gives you the best of both worlds.

Check out our Sportsbike or track helmets sections for more previews and reviews of helmets suitable for your sportsbike.

Looking to buy this LS2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the LS2 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site).

More Sports Touring Helmets?

We've looked at heaps of helmets that are more suitable for touring and naked bikes. You'll find them on our Sports Touring helmets pages. Or, if you're looking for the safest tested helmets on the market, you might want to take a look at our safest motorcycle helmets pages where you'll only find helmets that are SHARP four or five star rated - so you'll know you're wearing the best protection around.